Obama Praises Israel–Palestine Ceasefire — But Refuses to Credit Trump’s Role
Former President Barack Obama issued a statement this week expressing support for the recent ceasefire between Israel and Palestine, describing it as a “hopeful moment” following what he called “two years of unimaginable loss and suffering.” In his remarks, Obama highlighted optimism that an end to the conflict could be in sight and urged both sides to focus on rebuilding Gaza while committing to long-term peace.
The statement emphasized empathy and unity, acknowledging the challenges ahead for Israelis and Palestinians and the critical role of international support in reconstruction efforts. “It now falls on Israelis and Palestinians, with the support of the U.S. and the entire world community, to begin the hard task of rebuilding Gaza,” he noted.
However, the statement drew attention for what it did not mention. There was no reference to former President Donald Trump, whose foreign policy initiatives and regional alliances are widely regarded as foundational to the current peace efforts. Trump’s administration, through the Abraham Accords, normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations — a framework that has continued to facilitate diplomatic progress and directly contributed to the negotiations leading to this ceasefire.
Observers quickly pointed out that Obama’s remarks, while measured, appeared to downplay the diplomatic groundwork laid by the previous administration, sparking debate over whether the omission was intentional.